Self-supporting air tube for blasting and method of blasting rock using the same

Abstract

A self-supporting air tube for blasting and method of blasting rock using the air tube. The air tube includes an air bladder, a pair of support wings and an inlet The air bladder has a diameter smaller than that of a blasting hole and extends longitudinally. The support wings extend from the outside of the air bladder symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the air bladder so as to surround the air bladder and have certain widths. The inlet is attached to the upper fusion-welded portion of the air bladder to inject air into the air bladder. The total diameter of the air tube is smaller than the diameter of the blasting hole, and the air tube is inserted into the blasting hole and self-supported on a wall of the blasting hole.

1 - 10 . (canceled)  
   
   
       11 . A method of blasting rock using a self-supporting air tube, comprising the steps of: 
 drilling one or more blasting holes into rock to have certain depths and arrangement;    loading one or more self-supporting air tubes, each of the self-supporting air tubes including an air bladder that is smaller in diameter than each blasting hole and is filled with air, a pair of support wings that project outward from an outside of the air bladder and one or more weight pockets that are formed below the support wings or in lower portions of the support wings, in a center portion of each blasting hole;    loading explosive and a detonator to surround the self-supporting air tubes inserted into the blasting holes, and inserting at least one detonator into the blasting holes during the loading explosive step;    stemming entrances of the blasting holes into which the explosive is loaded; and    igniting the detonator using a blasting machine to explode the explosive loaded into the blasting holes.    
   
   
       12 . The method as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the step of loading the air tubes into the blasting holes is performed in such a way that one or more weight pockets are connected to one or more hook holes, which are formed in lower ends of the support wings, of each air tube using one or more cords or hooks and, then, the air tube is loaded into the blasting hole.  
   
   
       13 . The method as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the step of loading the air tubes into the blasting holes is performed in such a way that rock fragments acquired at a blasting site are put into the weight pockets and, then, the air tubes are loaded into the blasting holes.  
   
   
       14 . The method as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the step of loading the air tubes into the blasting holes is performed in such a way that openings of the weight pockets filled with the rock fragments are sealed using adhesive tape and, then, the air tubes are loaded into the blasting holes.  
   
   
       15 . The method as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the step of loading the air tubes into the blasting holes is performed in such a way that the rock fragments acquired at the blasting site are put into the weight pockets formed between center portions and lower ends of the support wings and, then, the air tubes are loaded into the blasting holes.  
   
   
       16 . The method as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the step of loading the air tubes into the blasting holes is performed in such a way that openings of the weight pockets filled with the rock fragments are sealed using adhesive tape and, then, the air tubes are loaded into the blasting holes.  
   
   
       17 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . A method of blasting, comprising: 
 making at least one hole in a material to be blasted;    inflating at least one self-supporting air tube, wherein said air tube comprises an air bladder and a pair of longitudinally oriented support wings associated with said air bladder;    inserting at least one said air tube into said hole;    installing a detonator into said hole;    loading an explosive into said hole;    stemming an entrance to said hole; and    detonating said explosive.    
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein said support wings project outward from a surface of said air bladder and symmetrically extend along a longitudinal axis of said air bladder such that said air bladder is surrounded by said support wings.  
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein a diameter of said air tube is less than or equal to a diameter of said hole.  
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein said support wings further comprise longitudinal bending lines.  
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein a diameter of said air tube is greater than or equal to a diameter of said hole.  
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein said air tube further comprises one or more weight pockets.  
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 21 , further comprising interconnecting one or more weight pockets to said air tube.  
   
   
       28 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein said weight pockets are formed integral to said support wings.  
   
   
       29 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein said inserting step comprises placing one or more rock fragments into said weight pockets and then inserting said air tube into said hole.  
   
   
       30 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein said inserting step further comprises sealing said weight pockets after placing said rock fragments into said weight pockets, wherein said sealing prevents said rock fragments from falling out during said inserting step.  
   
   
       31 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein said loading step comprises placing said explosive to surround said air tube.  
   
   
       32 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein said inserting step comprises inserting a plurality of said air tube and placing a layer of explosive or stemming material between each said air tube.  
   
   
       33 . A method of blasting rock, comprising: 
 inserting at least one self-supporting air tube into a bore hole, wherein a supporting element of said air tube comprises a pair of longitudinally oriented support wings;    placing an explosive into said bore hole; and    detonating said explosive.    
   
   
       34 . The method according to  claim 33 , wherein said inserting step comprises causing at least one of said support wings to bend along a longitudinally oriented bending line formed on said support wings.  
   
   
       35 . The method according to  claim 33 , wherein said inserting step comprises loading one or more weight pockets operatively associated with said air tube with a material to add weight to said air tube.