United S ta tes Pa tent [ 1 9 ]

Mura ka mi
[ 5 4 ] US ING PLAS MA ARC AND THERMITE TO
DEMOLIS H CONCRETE
[ 7 5 ] Inv ento r: Ta ku Mura ka mi, Hira ts uka , J a p a n
[ 7 3 ] As s ig nee: K a b us h iki K a is h a K o ma ts u
S eis a kus h o , To ky o , J a p a n
[ 2 1 ] Ap p l . No . : 2 9 7 , 6 1 0
[ 2 2 ] F il ed: Aug . 2 9 , 1 9 9 4
[ 3 0 ] F o reig n Ap p l ic a tio n Prio rity Da ta
Aug . 3 0 , 1 9 9 3 [ J P] J a p a n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[ 5 1 ] Int. Cl . 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B2 3 K 1 0 /0 0
[ 5 2 ] US . Cl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 9 /1 2 1 . 5 9 ; 2 1 9 /1 2 l . 4 4 ;
2 1 9 /l 2 1 . 3 8 ; 2 1 9 /1 2 l . 4 8 ; 2 1 9 /7 0 ; 2 6 6 /4 8
[ 5 8 ] F iel d o f S ea rc h . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 9 /7 0 , 1 2 1 . 3 8 ,
2 l 9 /1 2 1 . 3 6 , 1 2 1 . 4 8 , 1 2 1 . 5 1 , 1 2 1 . 3 7 , 1 2 1 . 5 9 ,
1 2 1 . 4 4 ; 2 6 6 /4 8 - 5 2 , 9 0 5 , 9 0 4
5 2 3 8 9 2 0
[ 5 6 ] Referenc es Cited
U. S . PATENT DOCUMENTS
3 , 7 4 0 , 5 2 2 6 /1 9 7 3 Mueh l b erg er . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 9 /7 6
3 , 9 8 8 , 5 6 6 1 0 /1 9 7 6 Vo g ts et a l . . . . . . . . . 2 1 9 /1 2 l . 5 4
4 , 3 7 1 , 7 7 1 2 /1 9 8 3 F a c c ini et a 1 . 2 1 9 /7 0
4 , 4 7 7 , 0 6 0 1 0 /1 9 8 4 Mo l inder . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 6 6 /4 8
4 , 5 4 1 , 6 1 6 9 /1 9 8 5 Dea n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 6 6 /4 8
4 , 5 5 9 , 8 9 0 1 2 /1 9 8 5 Reg a l b uto et a l 7 . . . . . . 1 1 4 /2 3 0
4 , 7 6 6 , 2 8 4 8 /1 9 8 8 Ca v a na g h . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 l 9 /1 2 1 . 5 9
l Il l l l Il l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l El l l l l l l l l l l l l " l l l l l Il l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l 0 0 5 5 3 2 4 4 9 A
[ 1 1 ] Pa tent Numb er:
[ 4 5 ] Da te o f Pa tent:
5 , 5 3 2 , 4 4 9
J ul . 2 , 1 9 9 6
F OREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
4 8 - 6 7 4 1 4 9 /1 9 7 3 J a p a n.
5 5 - 1 4 5 2 9 4 1 1 /1 9 8 0 J a p a n.
Prima ry Exa minerMa rk H. Pa s c h a l l
Atto rney , Ag ent, o r F irmRic h a rds , Medl o c k & Andrews
[ 5 7 ] ABS TRACT
A p l a s ma a rc c a n b e emp l o y ed to demo l is h a c o nc rete
s truc ture a t a h ig h e? ic ienc y , wh il e p rev enting a s ec o nda ry
p ro b l em due to no is e, ? y ing dus t a nd c h ip s , a nd th e l ike. Th e
c o nc rete s truc ture c a n b e demo l is h ed b y mel ting a s urfa c e o f
th e c o nc rete s truc ture b y g enera ting a p l a s ma a rc fro m a
p l a s ma to rc h ( 1 5 ) o f a p l a s ma a rc g enera to r, mixing th ermite
p o wder ( T) with a s up p l y g a s ( Ge) fo r th e p l a s ma to rc h ( 1 5 ) ,
direc ting th e p l a s ma a re a t th e s urfa c e o f th e c o nc rete
s truc ture, a nd c o ntro l l ing th e ra te o f s up p l y o f th e th errnite
p o wder ( T) to th e p l a s ma to rc h ( 1 5 ) in res p o ns e to th e
o p era tio n o f th e p l a s ma a rc , inc l uding initia ting a nd s to p
p ing th e s up p l y o f th e th ermite p o wder ( T) to th e p l a s ma
to rc h ( 1 5 ) in a ma nner c o o rdina ted with th e initia tio n a nd
s to p p a g e o f th e p l a s ma a rc , th ereb y c o ntro l l ing th e h ea t
g enera ted b y th e th errnite rea c tio n, a nd mel ting th e s urfa c e
o f th e c o nc rete s truc ture. Th e p l a s ma g enera to r ( 1 ) c a n b e
p ro v ided with a feeder ( 2 0 ) fo r mixing th e th ermite p o wder
( T) with th e s up p l y g a s ( Gc ) , a nd c o ntro l l er ( 3 0 ) fo r c o n
tro l l ing th e ra te o f s up p l y o f th e th errnite p o wder ( T) o r fo r
s to p p ing th e s up p l y o f th e th ermite p o wder ( T) .
1 5 Cl a ims , 3 Dra wing S h eets
1
3 O /
//
CONTROL
MEANS
IO
, 4 ? y g
l 7 CYLINDER
I |
/| 2 k :
H l GH- F REQUENCY
GENERATOR
M1 3
1 6
5 , 5 3 2 , 4 4 9
US . Pa tent J ul . 2 , 1 9 9 6 S h eet 2 o f 3
F IG. 2
H H
C TES TS
F | G. 3
US . Pa tent J ul . 2 , 1 - 9 9 6 S h eet 3 0 f 3 5 , 5 3 2 , 4 4 9
9
I
|
5 O2 EMBODIMENT MK )
2
CD
& THERMITE I0 3
3 CONCRETE TYPE LANCE
CUTTER
( D
Z
l .
' 5
0 WATER 1 0 4
J ET /
1 0 5
/ MELT TYPE
THERMAL- S TRES S PLAS MA ARc I0 6
BREAK TYPE PLAS MA CUTTER
ARc c uTTER
RUNNING COS T OF CUTTING
5 , 5 3 2 , 4 4 9
1
US ING PLAS MA ARC AND THERMITE TO
DEMOLIS H CONCRETE
F IELD OF THE INVENTION
Th e p res ent inv entio n rel a tes to a n imp ro v ement in
meth o d a nd a p p a ra tus fo r demo l is h ing c o nc rete s truc tures .
In a s p ec i? c a s p ec t, th e inv entio n rel a tes to meth o d a nd
a p p a ra tus fo r mel ting c o nc rete.
BACK GROUND OF THE INVENTION
Co nc rete s truc tures us ed to b e c o ns idered s emi- p erma
nent. Ho wev er, in rec ent times , it h a s b ec o me p o p ul a r to
demo l is h a nd th en reb uil d c o nc rete s truc tures fo r rea s o ns o f
deterio ra tio n, o ut- o f- da te c o nditio ns , ec o no mic dis a dv a n
ta g es , a nd th e l ike. In th is c o nnec tio n, v a rio us meth o ds a nd
a p p a ra tus fo r demo l is h ing c o nc rete s truc tures h a v e b een
p ro p o s ed.
F o r exa mp l e, s uc h p ro p o s ed meth o ds fo r demo l is h ing
c o nc rete s truc tures inc l ude: a n imp a c t demo l itio n meth o d
us ing h a mmers a nd c h is el s , imp a c t b rea kers , s teel b a l l s , o r
th e l ike; a mec h a nic a l demo l itio n meth o d us ing l o c k j a c ks ,
c rus h ers , c utters , dril l s , o r th e l ike; a th ermite demo l itio n
meth o d us ing meta l l ic - wire th ermite, th ermite mo l ding s
( refer to J a p a nes e Pa tent Ap p l ic a tio n La id- Op en No .
4 8 - 6 7 4 1 4 ) , o r th e l ike; a ? a me demo l itio n meth o d us ing j et
? a me o r th e l ike; a n exp l o s iv e demo l itio n meth o d; a g a s
exp a ns io n demo l itio n meth o d; a n el ec tric a l demo l itio n
meth o d us ing a rc dis c h a rg e, l a s er, p l a s ma a re ( refer to
J a p a nes e Pa tent Ap p l ic a tio n La id- o p en No . 5 5 - 1 4 5 2 9 4 ) , o r
th e l ike; a nd a j et demo l itio n meth o d us ing wa ter j et, s a nd
j et, o r th e l ike.
Ea c h o f th e c o nv entio na l demo l itio n meth o ds h a s b o th
merits a nd demerits . A c o mp a ra tiv e s tudy c a n b e ma de o n
th e merits a nd demerits o f th e v a rio us demo l itio n meth o ds ,
th e s truc ture a nd s iz e o f th e o b j ec t to b e demo l is h ed,
env iro nmenta l c o nc erns , a nd o th er fa c to rs , to c o l l ec tiv el y
ev a l ua te th e demo l itio n meth o ds fo r a p a rtic ul a r s truc ture.
Th en, a demo l itio n meth o d b es t s uited fo r th a t s truc ture c a n
b e emp l o y ed. Ho wev er, in th e c a s e o f demo l is h ing c o nc rete
a t a h ig h e? ic ienc y , th e p ro p o s ed meth o ds inv o l v e th e
o c c urrenc e o f a s ec o nda ry p ro b l em due to th e no is e, ? y ing
dus t a nd c h ip s , a nd th e l ike.
S UMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a n o b j ec t o f th e p res ent inv entio n to p ro v ide a meth o d
a nd a n a p p a ra tus wh ic h c a n demo l is h a c o nc rete s truc ture a t
a h ig h effic ienc y wh il e p rev enting a s ec o nda ry p ro b l em due
to no is e, ? y ing dus t a nd c h ip s , a nd th e l ike.
Ac c o rding to th e p res ent inv entio n, a c o nc rete demo l is h
ing meth o d wh ic h mel ts a s urfa c e o f a c o nc rete s truc ture
c o mp ris es : g enera ting a p l a s ma a re fro m th e p l a s ma to rc h o f
a p l a s ma a rc g enera to r, mixing th ermite p o wder with a
s up p l y g a s fo r th e p l a s ma to rc h , p a s s ing th e mixture o f
th ermite p o wder a nd s up p l y g a s to th e p l a s ma a rc , direc ting
th e p l a s ma a re a t th e s urfa c e o f th e c o nc rete s truc ture, a nd
c o ntro l l ing th e ra te o f s up p l y o f th e th ermite p o wder to th e
p l a s ma a rc in res p o ns e to th e o p era tio n o f th e p l a s ma to rc h ,
p refera b l y inc l uding initia ting a nd s to p p ing th e s up p l y o f th e
th ermite p o wder to th e p l a s ma a rc in a ma nner c o o rdina ted
with th e initia tio n a nd s to p p a g e o f th e p l a s ma a re, th ereb y
c o ntro l l ing th e h ea t g enera ted b y th e th ermite rea c tio n a nd
mel ting a t l ea s t a p o rtio n o f th e s urfa c e o f th e c o nc rete
s truc ture.
2 0
2 5
3 5
4 5
5 0
5 5
6 5
2
In a dditio n to mixing th e th ermite p o wder with th e s up p l y
g a s fo r th e p l a s ma to rc h , a t l ea s t o ne ma teria l s el ec ted fro m
th e g ro up c o ns is ting o f a g ents to c o ntro l a th ermite rea c tio n
s ta rting temp era ture a nd a g ents to l o wer th e mel ting p o int o f
c o nc rete c a n b e inc l uded a s a n ing redient o f th e mixture.
An a no dic dummy el ec tro de c a n b e p o s itio ned o n th e
s urfa c e o f th e c o nc rete s truc ture b etween th e s urfa c e a nd th e
p l a s ma to rc h , a nd mo v ed in a ma nner s imul ta neo us l y c o r
res p o nding to th e mo v ement o f th e p l a s ma to rc h . A p l a s ma
a rc is g enera ted to th e dummy el ec tro de, a nd th e mixture o f
s up p l y g a s a nd th ermite p o wder with o r with o ut a dditio na l
ing redients is j etted into th e res ul ting p l a s ma a rc env iro n
ment.
Al s o , a c c o rding to th e p res ent inv entio n, a c o nc rete
demo l is h ing a p p a ra tus wh ic h mel ts th e s urfa c e o f a c o nc rete
s truc ture c o mp ris es a p l a s ma g enera to r eq uip p ed with a
p l a s ma to rc h fo r g enera ting a p l a s ma a re, mea ns fo r mixing
th ermite p o wder with a s up p l y g a s fo r th e p l a s ma to rc h a nd
fo r p a s s ing th e res ul ting mixture to th e p l a s ma a rc , a nd
c o ntro l mea ns fo r c o ntro l l ing th e ra te o f s up p l y ing th e
th ermite p o wder to th e p l a s ma a rc in res p o ns e to th e
o p era tio n o f th e p l a s ma to rc h , p refera b l y inc l uding initia ting
a nd s to p p ing th e s up p l y o f th e th ermite p o wder to th e p l a s ma
a rc in a ma nner c o o rdina ted with th e initia tio n a nd s to p p a g e
o f th e p l a s ma a re, th ereb y c o ntro l l ing th e h ea t g enera ted b y
th e th ermite rea c tio n a nd mel ting a t l ea s t a p o rtio n o f th e
s urfa c e o f th e c o nc rete s truc ture. A p a s s a g ewa y fo r th e
mixture o f s up p l y g a s a nd th ermite p o wder c a n b e p ro v ided
with in th e p l a s ma to rc h o r a l o ng th e p erip h ery th ereo f s o th a t
th e mixture is inj ec ted into th e p l a s ma a rc env iro nment.
Th e mea ns fo r mixing th ermite p o wder with a s up p l y g a s
fo r th e p l a s ma to rc h c a n inc l ude mea ns fo r a dding to th e
s up p l y g a s a t l ea s t o ne ma teria l s el ec ted fro m th e g ro up
c o ns is ting o f a g ents to c o ntro l a th ermite rea c tio n s ta rting
temp era ture a nd a g ents to l o wer th e mel ting p o int o f c o n
c rete. Mo reo v er, a n a no dic dummy el ec tro de c a n b e p o s i
tio ned o n th e s urfa c e o f th e c o nc rete s truc ture b etween th e
s urfa c e a nd th e p l a s ma to rc h , a nd th e dummy el ec tro de a nd
th e p l a s ma to rc h c a n b e mo v ed s imul ta neo us l y in a c o rre
s p o nding ma nner.
Ac c o rding to th e c o nc rete demo l is h ing meth o d a nd a p p a
ra tus o f th e p res ent inv entio n, th e h ea t o f th e g enera ted
p l a s ma a rc c a us es th e th ermite p o wder to ig nite, induc ing a
th ermite rea c tio n, a nd th e th ermite rea c tio n h ea t a nd th e
p l a s ma a re h ea t s y nerg iz e ea c h o th er to effic ientl y mel t th e
c o nc rete s urfa c e. Th e intens ity o f th e th ermite rea c tio n h ea t
c a n b e ea s il y c o ntro l l ed b y c o ntro l l ing th e ra te o f s up p l y o f
th e th ermite p o wder to th e p l a s ma a rc env iro nment. Al s o ,
th e th ermite rea c tio n c a n b e ea s il y s to p p ed eith er b y c ea s ing
th e s up p l y ing o f th e th ermite p o wder o r b y exting uis h ing th e
p l a s ma a rc .
By s kil l ful l y c o mb ining a p l a s ma a rc demo l itio n meth o d,
wh ic h is c o mp a c t a nd ea s y to c a rry o ut under el ec tric a l
c o ntro l b ut wh ic h is p o o r in th erma l e? ic ienc y wh en a p p l ied
to no nc o nduc ting c o nc rete, a nd a th ermite demo l itio n
meth o d, wh ic h p ro v ides a l a rg e q ua ntity o f h ea t b ut in wh ic h
th e th ermite rea c tio n is dit? c ul t to c o ntro l , th eir merits no t
o nl y o ffs et th eir demerits b ut s y nerg iz e ea c h o th er. Needl es s
to s a y , a n es s entia l fea ture o f b o th meth o ds , i. e. , a reduc ed
o c c urrenc e o f th e s ec o nda ry p ro b l em o f no is e, ? y ing dus t
a nd c h ip s , a nd th e l ike is ma inta ined inta c t in th e c o mb ina
t1 o n.
BRIEF DES CRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
F IG. 1 is a dia g ra mma tic v iew wh ic h il l us tra tes a c o nc rete
demo l is h ing a p p a ra tus a c c o rding to a ? rs t emb o diment o f
5 , 5 3 2 , 4 4 9
3
th e p res ent inv entio n;
F IG. 2 is a dia g ra mma tic v iew wh ic h il l us tra tes p o rtio ns
o f a c o nc rete demo l is h ing a p p a ra tus a c c o rding to a s ec o nd
emb o diment o f th e p res ent inv entio n;
F IG. 3 is a g ra p h wh ic h il l us tra tes tes t res ul ts o n th e
a mo unt o f b l o wn- o ff dro s s fo r tes ts A, B a nd C;
F IG. 4 A is a dia g ra mma tic v iew wh ic h il l us tra tes p o rtio ns
o f a n a p p a ra tus us ed fo r tes t A in F IG. 3 ;
F IG. 4 B is a dia g ra mma tic v iew wh ic h il l us tra tes p o rtio ns
o f a n a p p a ra tus us ed fo r tes t B in F IG. 3 ;
F IG. 4 C is a dia g ra mma tic v iew wh ic h il l us tra tes p o rtio ns
o f a n a p p a ra tus us ed fo r tes t C in F IG. 3 ; a nd
F IG. 5 is a g ra p h wh ic h il l us tra tes th e c o mp a ris o n o f
c utting c a p a b il ity a nd th e running c o s t o f c utting b etween a n
emb o diment o f th e p res ent inv entio n a nd v a rio us p rio r a rt
meth o ds .
BES T MODE F OR CARRYING OUT THE
INVENTION
A c o nc rete demo l is h ing a p p a ra tus a c c o rding to a ? rs t
emb o diment o f th e p res ent inv entio n wil l no w b e des c rib ed
with referenc e to F IG. 1 .
A p l a s ma g enera to r 1 is p ro v ided with a p l a s ma to rc h 1 5
c o nta ining a c entra l l y l o c a ted el ec tro de ( c a th o de) 1 5 1 a nd a n
a nnul a r no z z l e el ec tro de ( a no de) 1 5 2 wh ic h s urro unds a t
l ea s t a p o rtio n o f th e c entra l l y l o c a ted el ec tro de 1 5 1 . An
a nnul a r dummy el ec tro de ( a no de) 1 6 is p o s itio ned o n a
s urfa c e o f a c o nc rete s truc ture 7 to b e demo l is h ed. Th e
p l a s ma g enera to r 1 is a l s o p ro v ided with a p o wer c irc uit 1 0
wh ic h c o mp ris es a n a c tua ta b l e direc t c urrent p o wer s o urc e
1 1 h a v ing its neg a tiv e termina l c o nnec ted to c entra l l y
l o c a ted el ec tro de 1 5 1 a nd its p o s itiv e termina l c o nnec ted to
th e dummy el ec tro de 1 6 , a h ig h - freq uenc y g enera to r 1 2 a nd
a p il o t a rc c urrent a dj us ting res is ta nc e 1 3 c o nnec ted in s eries
b etween th e neg a tiv e termina l o f th e direc t c urrent p o wer
s o urc e 1 1 a nd th e dummy el ec tro de 1 6 , a nd a ma in a rc
s el ec to r s witc h 1 4 c o nnec ted b etween th e h ig h - freq uenc y
g enera to r 1 2 a nd th e no z z l e el ec tro de 1 5 2 .
Th e p l a s ma g enera to r 1 is a l s o p ro v ided with a feeding
a p p a ra tus 2 0 fo r s up p l y ing th ermite p o wder T to th e p l a s ma
a rc , th e feeding a p p a ra tus 2 0 c o mp ris ing a c y l inder 1 7
h a v ing a p res s ure reg ul a ted v a l v ed o utl et 1 8 fo r s up p l y ing a
c a rrier g a s Gc a t a des ired p res s ure, a h o p p er 4 0 h a v ing a n
o utl et c o nduit 4 1 c o nta ining a v a l v e 4 2 fo r s up p l y ing
th ermite p o wder T, a c a rrier g a s p a s s a g ewa y 1 5 3 p ro v ided in
th e p l a s ma to rc h 1 5 , a nd a c o nduit 4 1 c o nnec ting th e v a l v ed
o utl et 1 8 o f th e c y l inder 1 7 a nd th e v a l v ed o utl et c o nduit 4 1
o f th e h o p p er 4 0 to th e c a rrier g a s p a s s a g ewa y 1 5 3 . Th e
c a rrier g a s p a s s a g ewa y 1 5 3 is l o c a ted in th e p l a s ma to rc h 1 5
s o a s to ej ec t th e mixture o f th ermite p o wder T a nd c a rrier
g a s Gc fro m th e p a s s a g ewa y 1 5 3 into th e p l a s ma a re A.
An inp ut termina l o f a c o ntro l mea ns 3 0 is c o nnec ted to
th e wiring b etween th e direc t c urrent s o urc e 1 1 a nd th e
el ec tro de 1 5 1 to p ro v ide c o ntro l mea ns 3 0 with a s ig na l
rep res enta tiv e o f th e o p era tio n o f th e p l a s ma to rc h 1 5 . Th e
c o ntro l mea ns 3 0 ma nip ul a tes v a l v e 4 2 in th e h o p p er o utl et
c o nduit 4 1 s o a s to v a ry th e ra te o f intro duc tio n o f th e
th ermite p o wder T fro m th e h o p p er 4 0 into th e c a rrier g a s
p a s s ing th ro ug h c o nduit 4 3 in a c c o rda nc e with th e o p era tio n
o f th e p l a s ma to rc h 1 5 , inc l uding initia ting a nd s to p p ing th e
s up p l y o f th e th ermite p o wder to th e p l a s ma to rc h v ia th e
c o nduit 4 3 in a ma nner c o o rdina ted with th e initia tio n a nd
s to p p a g e o f th e p l a s ma a rc A.
As s een fro m th e fa c t th a t a n inl et fo r a c tua ting g a s Ga ,
a n inl et fo r s h iel d g a s Gs , a nd a n inl et a nd a n o utl et fo r
1 5
2 5
3 5
4 5
5 5
6 5
4
c o o l ing wa ter W, a re p ro v ided, th e p l a s ma to rc h 1 5 is o f th e
s h iel d g a s ty p e a nd o f th e wa ter c o o l ing ty p e. Th us , th e
p l a s ma g enera to r 1 is a l s o s up p l ied with th e a c tua ting g a s
Ga , th e s h iel d g a s Gs , a nd th e c o o l ing wa ter W, a l l fro m
s o urc es no t s h o wn. Wh en th e c a rrier g a s Gc , th e a c tua ting
g a s Ga , a nd th e s h iel d g a s Gs a re no t dis ting uis h ed fro m
ea c h o th er, th ey wil l h ereina fter b e c a l l ed s up p l y g a s G.
Op era tio ns o f th e ? rs t emb o diment wil l no w b e des c rib ed.
Th e a c tua ting g a s Ga is initia l l y s up p l ied to th e p a s s a g ewa y
1 5 5 b etween th e c entra l el ec tro de 1 5 1 a nd th e no z z l e
el ec tro de 1 5 2 o f th e p l a s ma to rc h 1 5 a s a p re? o w. After th e
? o w o f a c tua ting g a s Ga b etween th e c entra l el ec tro de 1 5 1
a nd th e no z z l e el ec tro de 1 5 2 h a s b een es ta b l is h ed, el ec tric a l
c urrent is a p p l ied to th e h ig h - freq uenc y g enera to r 1 2 to
c a us e a diel ec tric b rea kdo wn in th e a c tua ting g a s Ga
b etween th e c entra l el ec tro de 1 5 1 a nd th e no z z l e el ec tro de
1 5 2 , th ereb y fo rming a p il o t a rc . Th e a c tua ting g a s Ga ,
wh ic h h a s b een io niz ed b y th e p il o t a rc a nd h a s b ec o me
c o nduc tiv e, is j etted o ut th ro ug h th e no z z l e 1 5 a nd rea c h es
th e dummy el ec tro de ( a no de) 1 6 to g enera te a p l a s ma a re
( ma in a re) A. Th en, th e ma in a rc s el ec to r s witc h 1 4 is turned
o ff to s ta b l y ma inta in th e p l a s ma a re A. Th e s h iel d g a s Gs is
fed th ro ug h a n a nnul a r p a s s a g ewa y 1 5 6 to p ro v ide a n
a nnul a r g a s s h iel d s urro unding th e p l a s ma a re A.
S inc e th e dummy el ec tro de 1 6 is in th e fo rm o f a ring , th e
p l a s ma a re A h a s a c o nic a l s h a p e l ike Mt. F uj i. Wh en th e
mixture, Gc + T, o f c a rrier g a s Gc a nd th ermite p o wder T is
j etted into th e p l a s ma a rc a tmo s p h ere 1 5 a with in th e p l a s ma
a re A, th e h ea t o f th e p l a s ma a re A c a us es th e th ermite
p o wder T to induc e th e th ermite rea c tio n, th ereb y p ro duc ing
a dditio na l h ea t a nd mel ting th e s urfa c e o f th e c o nc rete
s truc ture 7 exp o s ed b y th e o p ening o f th e a nnul a r dummy
el ec tro de 1 6 . S inc e a driv ing a p p a ra tus , no t s h o wn, c a us es
th e dummy el ec tro de 1 6 to mo v e in a ma nner c o rres p o nding
to th e s imul ta neo us mo v ement o f th e p l a s ma to rc h 1 5 , th e
c o nc rete is c o ntinuo us l y mel ted, fo rming a g ro o v e a l o ng th e
p a th o f mo v ement o f th e p l a s ma to rc h 1 5 .
Th e intens ity o f th e th ermite rea c tio n is a dj us ted o r
s to p p ed under ins truc tio ns fro m th e c o ntro l mea ns 3 0 wh ic h
ma nip ul a tes v a l v e 4 2 to c o ntro l th e ra te o f s up p l y ing th e
th ermite p o wder T fro m th e h o p p er 4 0 to th e s up p l y g a s G
in c o nduit 4 3 . Th e th ermite rea c tio n c a n a l s o b e s to p p ed b y
s to p p ing th e o p era tio n o f th e p l a s ma g enera to r 1 , fo r
exa mp l e, b y a c tua ting th e direc t c urrent p o wer s o urc e 1 1 to
its o ? C c o nditio n.
Al s o a c c ep ta b l e is th e fo l l o wing meth o d fo r termina ting
th e th ermite rea c tio n: th e p l a s ma to rc h 1 5 is mo v ed a wa y
fro m th e dummy el ec tro de 1 6 , i. e. , th e to rc h h eig h t is
c h a ng ed, until th e v o l ta g e o f th e p l a s ma g enera to r 1 exc eeds
a s et wo rking v o l ta g e. Th e p l a s ma g enera to r v o l ta g e is
detec ted b y a v o l ta g e s ens o r a nd c o mp a red to th e s et
wo rking v o l ta g e, a nd th e o c c urrenc e o f th e p l a s ma g enera to r
v o l ta g e exc eeding th e s et wo rking v o l ta g e is us ed a s a
trig g er fo r c l o s ing v a l v e 4 2 a nd th ereb y termina ting th e
s up p l y ing o f th e th ermite p o wder T to th e p l a s ma to rc h 1 5 .
Exa mp l es o f a p p l ic a tio ns o f th e p res ent inv entio n a re
h ereina fter des c rib ed.
( 1 ) Th e th ermite p o wder T c a n b e mixed with th e a c tu
a ting g a s Ga o r with th e s h iel d g a s Gs , ins tea d o f with th e
c a rrier g a s Gc . S inc e th e th ermite p o wderT is ? nel y div ided
p a rtic ul a tes , th e th ermite p o wder T c a n b e mixed with th e
a c tua ting g a s Ga fo r s o me s iz es ( s p ec i? c a tio ns ) o f th e
p l a s ma to rc h 1 5 .
( 2 ) Va rio us g a s es c a n b e emp l o y ed a s a s up p l y g a s G to
th e p l a s ma g enera to r 1 . F o r exa mp l e, o xy g en, nitro g en, a ir,
h y dro g en, a mixture o f a rg o n a nd h y dro g en, a mixture o f
5 , 5 3 2 , 4 4 9
5
nitro g en a nd h y dro g en, a mixture o f o xy g en, nitro g en a nd
h y dro g en, o r th e l ike c a n b e us ed a s th e s up p l y g a s G.
( 3 ) Th e mea ns fo r mixing th e th ermite p o wder T with th e
c a rrier g a s Gc is no t l imited to th e h o p p er 4 0 a nd v a l v e 4 3 .
Any a p p a ra tus c a p a b l e o f q ua ntita tiv el y mixing th e th ermite
p o wder T with th e c a rrier g a s Go is a c c ep ta b l e, s uc h a s a
v a c uum ty p e a p p a ra tus o r a v ib ra ting ty p e a p p a ra tus .
( 4 ) Th e dummy el ec tro de 1 6 is p ro v ided b ec a us e it g rea tl y
inc rea s es th e a mo unt o f th e c o nc rete wh ic h is mel ted.
Prefera b l y , th e dummy el ec tro de 1 6 is o f a ma teria l with
g o o d el ec tric a l a nd th erma l c o nduc tiv ities , s uc h a s c a rb o n
p l a te a nd c o p p er p l a te, a nd h a s a s truc ture a l l o wing fo rc ed
c o o l ing . Al s o , a c o ns uma b l e iro n p l a te o r th e l ike c a n b e
us ed a s th e dummy el ec tro de 1 6 fo r mel ting c o nc rete
th erewith .
A c o nc rete demo l is h ing a p p a ra tus a c c o rding to a s ec o nd
emb o diment o f th e p res ent inv entio n wil l no w b e des c rib ed
with referenc e to F IG. 2 . As th e c o mp o nents o f th e s ec o nd
emb o diment wh ic h a re th e s a me a s c o mp o nents in th e ? rs t
emb o diment b ea r th e s a me referenc e numera l s a nd s y mb o l s ,
a deta il ed des c rip tio n th ereo f is o mitted. Th e s ec o nd
emb o diment is different fro m th e ? rs t emb o diment in th a t
th e p l a s ma to rc h 1 5 o f th e p l a s ma g enera to r 5 0 is p ro v ided
with a n externa l l y mo unted no z z l e 5 2 wh ic h j ets o r s to p s
j etting th e mixture o f c a rrier g a s Gc a nd th ermite p o wder T
fro m c o nduit 4 3 to wa rd th e p l a s ma a rc a tmo s p h ere 1 5 a . Th e
no z z l e 5 2 is mo unted a l o ng th e externa l p erip h ery o f th e
l o wer end p o rtio n o f th e p l a s ma to rc h 1 5 b y a b a nd 5 1 wh ic h
enc o mp a s s es th e p l a s ma to rc h 1 5 , with th e ends o f th e b a nd
5 1 b eing s ec ured b y a b o l t 5 3 . In o th er wo rds , th e no z z l e 5 2
is a n externa l p a s s a g ewa y wh ic h is s ep a ra te fro m th e inter
na l g a s p a s s a g ewa y s in th e p l a s ma to rc h 1 5 . Th e a c tio n o f
th e no z z l e 5 2 is th e s a me a s th e interna l p a s s a g ewa y 1 5 3 in
th e ? rs t emb o diment. In th e s ec o nd emb o diment, th e c o ntro l
mea ns 3 0 ma nip ul a tes th e v a l v e 4 2 in s uc h a ma nner a s to
c o ntro l th e ra te o f s up p l y o f th e th ermite p o wder T to th e
no z z l e 5 2 in res p o ns e to th e o p era tio n o f th e p l a s ma a rc ,
p refera b l y inc l uding initia ting a nd s to p p ing th e s up p l y o f th e
th ermite p o wder T to th e no z z l e 5 2 in a ma nner c o o rdina ted
with th e initia tio n a nd s to p p a g e o f th e p l a s ma a re. If des ired,
a s witc h c a n b e util iz ed to a p p l y a s ig na l to c o ntro l mea ns
3 0 to initia te th e inj ec tio n o f th e th ermite p o wder T into th e
s up p l y g a s G a fter th e p l a s ma a re h a s b een initia ted. Th e
s witc h c a n b e a ma nua l l y a c tua ta b l e s witc h o r it c a n b e
a c tua ted a uto ma tic a l l y a t a p redetermined del a y a fter th e
initia tio n o f th e p l a s ma a re.
A c o nc rete demo l is h ing meth o d a c c o rding to a th ird
emb o diment o f th e p res ent inv entio n wil l no w b e des c rib ed.
Th e th ird emb o diment is p a rtic ul a rl y s uited fo r a s ma l l - s c a l e
demo l itio n o f c o nc rete, s uc h a s a p rel imina ry o r initia l
demo l itio n o f c o nc rete. After th e s urfa c e o f th e c o nc rete
s truc ture h a s b een mel ted b y th e c o nc rete demo l is h ing
a p p a ra tus to fo rm a g ro o v e, th e c o nc rete s truc ture is demo l
is h ed b y driv ing a p o wer s p l itter o r th e l ike into th e th us
fo rmed g ro o v e.
S inc e th e p res ent inv entio n us es a rc dis c h a rg e, it is a l s o
a p p l ic a b l e to a l a rg e s c a l e demo l itio n o f a c o nc rete s truc ture.
F o r exa mp l e, a l a rg e c o nc rete demo l is h ing a p p a ra tus h a v ing
two l a rg e el ec tro des , a c o ntro l s y s tem, a nd a no z z l e wh ic h
j ets o r s to p s j etting th e mixture o f s up p l y g a s G a nd th ermite
p o wder T b etween th e l a rg e el ec tro des in s uc h a ma nner
a s - to interl o c k with th e g enera tio n a nd s to p p a g e o f a v o l ta g e
a p p l ied to th e l a rg e el ec tro des . Th e two l a rg e el ec tro des a re
p o s itio ned in c l o s e p ro ximity to a s urfa c e o f a c o nc rete
s truc ture. Th en, a n a rc dis c h a rg e is induc ed b etween th e two
l a rg e el ec tro des , a nd a t th e s a me time o r a fter a b rief
1 5
2 5
3 5
4 5
5 0
5 5
6 0
6 5
6
p redetermined del a y th e mixture o f s up p l y g a s G a nd
th ermite p o wder T is j etted into th e a rc a tmo s p h ere to wa rd
th e s urfa c e o f th e c o nc rete s truc ture. As a res ul t, th e p o rtio n
o f th e c o nc rete s truc ture a t wh ic h th e th ermite p o wder T is
direc ted is q uic kl y mel ted. A c o nc rete s truc ture h a v ing a
th ic knes s o f s ev era l meters c a n b e immedia tel y mel ted b y
th is meth o d.
A p res entl y p referred emb o diment o f th e inv entio n,
wh erein th e th ermite p o wder T h a s a dded th ereto a t l ea s t o ne
ma teria l s el ec ted fro m th e g ro up c o ns is ting o f a g ents to
c o ntro l a th ermite rea c tio n s ta rting temp era ture a nd a g ents to
l o wer th e mel ting p o int o f c o nc rete, wil l no w b e des c rib ed.
( 1 ) Ag ents to c o ntro l th ermite rea c tio n s ta rting temp era
ture
Th ermite p o wder T is b a s ic a l l y a mixture o f ? nel y
div ided meta l l ic a l uminum a nd ferric o xide th a t, wh en
ig nited, p ro duc es extremel y h ig h temp era tures a s th e res ul t
o f th e unio n o f th e a l uminum with th e o xy g en o f th e o xide.
Th e th ermite rea c tio n o n th e s urfa c e o f a c o nc rete s truc ture
is s o intens iv e th a t it ea s il y mel ts c o nc rete a nd ro c k with a
mel ting p o int in th e ra ng e o f a b o ut 1 2 0 0 to a b o ut 2 5 0 0 C.
Ho wev er, th e ? ner th e p a rtic ul a te s iz e o f th e th ermite
p o wder T, th e mo re th e th ermite p o wder T tends to induc e
dus t exp l o s io n a t a ro o m temp era ture. Th is tendenc y is
s tro ng er th a n th a t o f iro n dus t, c o a l dus t, o r th e l ike. Henc e,
fro m a s a fety p o int o f v iew, it is es s entia l to p ro v ide mea ns
fo r externa l l y c o ntro l l ing th e s ta rt a nd th e s to p o f th e
th ermite rea c tio n. Al s o , it is des ira b l e to us e th e th ermite
p o wder T its el f fo r c o ntro l l ing th e s ta rt o f th e th ermite
rea c tio n.
In deta il , it is des ira b l e th a t th e th ermite p o wder T b e
a dmixed with a ma teria l s uc h th a t th e o c c urrenc e o f th e
th ermite rea c tio n b e p rev ented o r minimiz ed a t temp era tures
up to l O0 O C. To a tta in th is o b j ec t, in a dditio n to a
c o ns idera tio n o f th e g ra in s iz e o f ea c h ing redient o f th e
th ermite p o wder T a nd th e c h a ra c teris tic s o f th e s up p l y g a s
G a nd o th er fa c to rs , a n a g ent to c o ntro l a th ermite rea c tio n
s ta rting temp era ture is a dded to th e th ermite p o wder T in
a dv a nc e. Th e a dditio na l a g ent o r a g ents c a n b e p remixed
with th e th ermite p o wder T in th e h o p p er 4 0 , o r o ne o r mo re
s ep a ra te feeding mec h a nis ms c a n b e emp l o y ed fo r a dding
th e a dditio na l a g ent o r a g ents to th e s up p l y g a s . Any s uita b l e
temp era ture c o ntro l l ing a g ent c a n b e util iz ed. S uita b l e tem
p era ture c o ntro l l ing a g ents inc l ude th e p o wders o f iro n,
nic kel , ma ng a nes e, c a rb o n, c a l c ium, ma g nes ium, b a rium,
z irc o nium, c o p p er, a nd a dmixtures o f a ny two o r mo re
th ereo f. F o r s ec uring s a fety , it is q uite imp o rta nt to c o ntro l
th e th ermite rea c tio n s ta rting temp era ture b y s tudy ing th e
temp era ture c o ntro l l ing a g ents a nd th eir g ra in s iz e a nd
c o mp o unding ra tio s , th e c h a ra c teris tic s o f th e s up p l y g a s G
a nd o th ers s o th a t th e th ermite rea c tio n o c c urs a t a des ired
temp era ture.
( 2 ) Ag ents to l o wer th e mel ting p o int o f c o nc rete
Wh en mel ting c o nc rete, th e p l a s ma to rc h c a n fa c e no t
o nl y h o riz o nta l l y o r up wa rdl y b ut do wnwa rdl y in ma ny
c a s es . Mo l ten c o nc rete is h ig h in v is c o s ity , a nd h enc e do es
no t na tura l l y ? o w o ut o f a g ro o v e in a g enera l l y h o riz o nta l
s urfa c e. Wh en mel ting c o nc rete with th e p l a s ma to rc h fa c ing
do wnwa rdl y , it is des ira b l e th a t th e p l a s ma to rc h b e
eq uip p ed with a g a s no z z l e to b l o w s uc h mo l ten s ub s ta nc e
( dro s s ) o ut o f th e g ro o v e. Ho wev er, s inc e c o nc rete c a n
c o nta in g ra v el with a mel ting p o int h ig h er th a n th a t o f th e
c o nc rete, th e g a s j etted fro m th e g a s no z z l e ma y no t b e a b l e
to b l o w o ut b o th th e g ra v el a nd th e mo l ten c o nc rete. As a
c o ns eq uenc e, a des ired p ro g res s o f th e mel ting p ro c es s is
diffic ul t to a c h iev e.
5 , 5 3 2 , 4 4 9
7
In o rder to b l o w o ut s uc h g ra v el a s wel l a s th e mo l ten
c o nc rete, th e v is c o s ity o f th e mo l ten c o nc rete needs to b e
l o w. To a tta in th is o b j ec t, a s ub s ta nc e wh ic h l o wers th e
mel ting p o int o f th e c o nc rete wh en it mel ts a nd mixes with
mo l ten c o nc rete, is a dded to th e th ermite p o wder T in
a dv a nc e. Th e a dditio na l a g ent o r a g ents c a n b e p remixed
with th e th ermite p o wder T in th e h o p p er 4 0 , o r o ne o r mo re
s ep a ra te feeding mec h a nis ms c a n b e emp l o y ed fo r a dding
th e a dditio na l a g ent o r a g ents to th e s up p l y g a s G. S uc h
a g ents to l o wer th e mel ting p o int o f c o nc rete inc l ude a l u
rninum, ma g nes ium, iro n, s o dium, l ea d o xide, c h l o rides l ike
s o dium c h l o ride, ? uo rides l ike ? uo rite, a nd a dmixtures o f
a ny two o r mo re th ereo f.
Th e effec t o f a g ents to c o ntro l a th ermite rea c tio n s ta rting
temp era ture a nd a g ents to l o wer th e mel ting p o int o f c o n
c rete wil l no w b e des c rib ed with referenc e to s p ec i? c tes t
res ul ts .
Th e tes t a p p a ra tus is th e p l a s ma g enera to r 1 in F IG. 1 .
Adrnixed with th e th ermite p o wder T is a n a g ent to l o wer a
th ermite rea c tio n s ta rting temp era ture, wh ic h a g ent c o m
p ris es ma ng a nes e a nd c a rb o n, a nd a n a g ent to l o wer th e
mel ting p o int o f c o nc rete, wh ic h a g ent c o mp ris es ? uo rite.
Th e ma ximum g ra in s iz e o f th es e a g ents is a b o ut 1 0 0
mic ro ns . Th e c a rrier g a s Go fo r th e mixture o f th ermite
p o wder T a nd th e a g ents is a mixture o f o xy g en, h y dro g en,
a nd nitro g en. Th e feed ra te o f th e mixture o f th ermite
p o wder T a nd th e a g ents is in th e ra ng e o f 1 0 to 1 0 0
g ra ms /minute. Th e p l a s ma intens ity is in th e ra ng e o f a b o ut
4 0 to a b o ut 2 0 0 kW ( th is ra ng e o f p l a s ma intens ity deriv es
fro m th e fa c t th a t th e feed ra te o f th e th ermite p o wder T is
v a ria b l e) . Th e c o nc rete is a h a rdened mixture o f p eb b l es
with a dia meter o f a b o ut 2 0 mm, s a nd, a nd p o rtl a nd c ement.
Th e p l a s ma to rc h fa c es do wnwa rd in mel ting , a nd mo l ten
c o nc rete is b l o wn o ut o f th e res ul ting g ro o v e b y th e c a rrier
g a s 6 0 .
F IG. 3 s h o ws th e tes t res ul ts fo r c o mp a ris o n. In c o mp a ri
s o n o f th e a mo unt o f b l o wn- o ff dro s s , tes ts A, B a nd C s h o w
th e rel a tio ns h ip o f A: B: C= l : 4 : 5 . In tes t A, a s s h o wn in F IG.
4 A, th ere is no p l us g ro und o n th e c o nc rete s urfa c e 7
( s o - c a l l ed no ntra ns fer ty p e in p l a s ma c o ntro l ) . In tes t B, a s
s h o wn in F IG. 4 B, a p l us g ro und is ma de b y a meta l
reinfo rc ement el ement 7 1 emb edded in th e c o nc rete ( s o
c a l l ed tra ns fer ty p e in p l a s ma c o ntro l ) . In tes t C, a s s h o wn
in F IG. 4 C, a p l us g ro und is ma de b y th e dummy el ec tro de
1 6 ( p res ent inv entio n) . Ac c o rding to th e tes t res ul ts , tes t C
s h o ws th e l a rg es t a mo unt o f b l o wn- o ? c dro s s .
F IG. 5 is a g ra p h wh ic h il l us tra tes th e c o mp a ris o n o f th e
c utting c a p a b il ity a nd th e running c o s t o f c utting b etween
th e p res ent inv entio n 1 0 1 a nd c o nv entio na l c o nc rete demo l ~
is h ing tec h niq ues 1 0 2 - 1 0 6 .
In deta il , th e p res ent inv entio n 1 0 1 is free o f a p o tentia l
? re b ec a us e o f th e c a p a b il ity o f c o ntro l l ing th e h ea ting , a nd
do es no t p ro duc e a ny no is e. Bec a us e o f a g o o d th erma l
e? ic ienc y , th e p res ent inv entio n is a p p l ic a b l e to b o th s ma l l
s iz ed a nd l a rg e- s iz ed c o nc rete demo l is h ing a p p a ra tus . Th e
p res ent inv entio n a l s o s h o ws a h ig h c utting c a p a b il ity a nd a
l o w running c o s t o f c utting .
Th e c o nc rete c utter 1 0 2 is l o w in running c o s t o f c utting ,
b ut p ro duc es a l a rg e a mo unt o f no is e.
Th e th ermite ty p e l a nc e 1 0 3 is h ig h in c utting c a p a b il ity ,
b ut p ro v ides diffic ul ty in c o ntro l l ing th e h ea ting , a nd h a s th e
da ng er o f a p o tentia l ? re.
Th e wa ter j et 1 0 4 h a s a p ro b l em o f h a v ing to dis p o s e o f
th e wa ter us ed.
Th e th erma l - s tres s b rea k ty p e p l a s ma a rc c utter 1 0 5 is
p o o r in b rea king e? ic ienc y , a nd h enc e req uires a s ec o nda ry
b rea king effo rt.
1 5
2 0
2 5
3 0
3 5
4 5
5 0
5 5
6 0
6 5
8
Th e mel t ty p e p l a s ma a rc c utter 1 0 6 is p o o r in th erma l
e? ic ienc y a nd h ig h in running c o s t o f c utting .
INDUS TRIAL APPLICABILITY
Th e p res ent inv entio n is effec tiv e to s erv e a s a meth o d a nd
a n a p p a ra tus wh ic h c a n p rev ent a s ec o nda ry p ro b l em due to
no is e, ? y ing dus t a nd c h ip s , a nd th e l ike, a nd c a n demo l is h
c o nc rete a t a h ig h e? ic ienc y .
Wh a t is c l a imed is :
1 . A meth o d o f demo l is h ing a c o nc rete s truc ture, c o m
p ris ing th e s tep s o f:
g enera ting a p l a s ma a re fro m a p l a s ma to rc h o f a p l a s ma
a rc g enera to r,
mixing th ermite p o wder with a s up p l y g a s fo r s a id p l a s ma
to rc h ,
p a s s ing th e res ul ting mixture into th e th us g enera ted
p l a s ma a rc ,
direc ting th e p l a s ma a rc c o nta ining s a id mixture to wa rd a
s urfa c e o f th e c o nc rete s truc ture, a nd
c o ntro l l ing th e s up p l y ing o f s a id th ermite p o wder to th e
p l a s ma a re res p o ns iv e to th e o p era tio n o f th e p l a s ma
to rc h , th ereb y mel ting a t l ea s t a p o rtio n o f th e s urfa c e
o f th e c o nc rete s truc ture.
2 . A meth o d in a c c o rda nc e with c l a im 1 , wh erein th e s tep
o f c o ntro l l ing c o mp ris es v a ry ing th e ra te o f a dditio n o f th e
h errnite p o wder to th e s up p l y g a s in res p o ns e to th e o p era
tio n o f th e p l a s ma to rc h .
3 . A meth o d in a c c o rda nc e with c l a im 1 , wh erein s a id s tep
o f c o ntro l l ing c o mp ris es ma nip ul a ting th e ra te o f s up p l y ing
th e th ermite p o wder to th e p l a s ma a rc in res p o ns e to th e
o p era tio n o f th e p l a s ma to rc h , inc l uding initia ting a nd s to p
p ing th e s up p l y ing o f th e th ermite p o wder to th e p l a s ma a rc
in a ma nner c o o rdina ted with th e initia tio n a nd s to p p a g e o f
th e p l a s ma a re, th ereb y c o ntro l l ing th e h ea t g enera ted b y th e
th ermite rea c tio n.
4 . A meth o d in a c c o rda nc e with c l a im 3 , wh erein th e s tep
o f ma nip ul a ting c o mp ris es v a ry ing th e ra te o f a dditio n o f th e
th ermite p o wder to th e s up p l y g a s in res p o ns e to th e o p era
tio n o f th e p l a s ma to rc h .
5 . A meth o d in a c c o rda nc e with c l a im 1 , wh erein s a id s tep
o f c o ntro l l ing inc l udes initia ting a nd s to p p ing th e s up p l y ing
o f s a id th ermite p o wder to th e p l a s ma a rc in a ma nner
c o o rdina ted with th e initia tio n a nd s to p p a g e o f th e p l a s ma
a re.
6 . A meth o d in a c c o rda nc e with c l a im 1 , wh erein s a id s tep
o f mixing c o mp ris es mixing s a id th ermite p o wder, s a id
s up p l y g a s , a nd a t l ea s t o ne ma teria l s el ec ted fro m th e g ro up
c o ns is ting o f a g ents to c o ntro l a th ermite rea c tio n s ta rting
temp era ture.
7 . A meth o d in a c c o rda nc e with c l a im 1 , wh erein s a id s tep
o f mixing c o mp ris es mixing s a id th ermite p o wder, s a id
s up p l y g a s , a nd a t l ea s t o ne ma teria l s el ec ted fro m th e g ro up
c o ns is ting o f a g ents to l o wer th e mel ting p o int o f c o nc rete.
8 . A meth o d in a c c o rda nc e with c l a im 1 , wh erein s a id
s tep s o f g enera ting a p l a s ma a re fro m s a id p l a s ma to rc h a nd
direc ting th e p l a s ma a rc c o nta ining s a id mixture to wa rd a
s urfa c e o f th e c o nc rete s truc ture c o mp ris e:
p o s itio ning a n a no dic dummy el ec tro de o n s a id s urfa c e
b etween s a id s urfa c e a nd s a id p l a s ma to rc h , a nd
g enera ting s a id p l a s ma a rc to s a id dummy el ec tro de.
9 . A meth o d in a c c o rda nc e with c l a im 8 , furth er c o mp ris
ing s imul ta neo us l y mo v ing s a id dummy el ec tro de a nd s a id
p l a s ma to rc h in a c o rres p o nding ma nner.
1 0 . A meth o d in a c c o rda nc e with c l a im 9 , wh erein th e s tep
o f c o ntro l l ing c o mp ris es v a ry ing th e ra te o f a dditio n o f th e
5 , 5 3 2 , 4 4 9
9
th ermite p o wder to th e s up p l y g a s in res p o ns e to th e o p era
tio n o f th e p l a s ma to rc h .
1 1 . A meth o d in a c c o rda nc e with c l a im 9 , wh erein s a id
s tep o f c o ntro l l ing c o mp ris es ma nip ul a ting th e ra te o f s up
p l y ing th e th errnite p o wder to th e p l a s ma a rc in res p o ns e to
th e o p era tio n o f th e p l a s ma to rc h , inc l uding initia ting a nd
s to p p ing th e s up p l y ing o f th e th ermite p o wder to th e p l a s ma
a rc in a ma nner c o o rdina ted with th e initia tio n a nd s to p p a g e
o f th e p l a s ma a re, th ereb y c o ntro l l ing th e h ea t g enera ted b y
th e th ermite rea c tio n.
1 2 . A meth o d in a c c o rda nc e with c l a im 1 1 , wh erein th e
s tep o f ma nip ul a ting c o mp ris es v a ry ing th e ra te o f a dditio n
o f th e th ermite p o wder to th e s up p l y g a s in res p o ns e to th e
o p era tio n o f th e p l a s ma to rc h .
1 3 . A meth o d in a c c o rda nc e with c l a im 9 , wh erein s a id
s tep o f c o ntro l l ing inc l udes initia ting a nd s to p p ing th e
1 0
s up p l y ing o f s a id th errnite p o wder to th e p l a s ma a re in a
ma nner c o o rdina ted with th e initia tio n a nd s to p p a g e o f th e
p l a s ma a re.
1 4 . A meth o d in a c c o rda nc e with c l a im 9 , wh erein s a id
s tep o f mixing c o mp ris es mixing s a id th ermite p o wder, s a id
s up p l y g a s , a nd a t l ea s t o ne ma teria l s el ec ted fro m th e g ro up
c o ns is ting o f a g ents to c o ntro l a th ermite rea c tio n s ta rting
temp era ture.
1 5 . A meth o d in a c c o rda nc e with c l a im 9 , wh erein s a id
s tep o f mixing c o mp ris es mixing s a id th ermite p o wder, s a id
s up p l y g a s , a nd a t l ea s t o ne ma teria l s el ec ted fro m th e g ro up
c o ns is ting o f a g ents to l o wer th e mel ting p o int o f c o nc rete.