US 11,988,072 B1
Projectile drilling system
Mark C. Russell, Spokane, WA (US); Lance D. Underwood, Cypress, TX (US); and Tristen Cutshall, Spokane, WA (US)
Assigned to HYPERSCIENCES, INC., Spokane, WA (US)
Filed by HYPERSCIENCES, INC., Spokane, WA (US)
Filed on Feb. 22, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/172,728.
Application 18/172,728 is a continuation of application No. 17/445,168, filed on Aug. 16, 2021, granted, now 11,624,235.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/069,644, filed on Aug. 24, 2020.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E21B 4/14 (2006.01); E21B 7/00 (2006.01); E21B 7/18 (2006.01); E21B 10/38 (2006.01); E21D 9/00 (2006.01); E21D 9/10 (2006.01); E21D 9/12 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 4/14 (2013.01) [E21B 7/005 (2013.01); E21B 7/18 (2013.01); E21B 10/38 (2013.01); E21D 9/003 (2013.01); E21D 9/006 (2013.01); E21D 9/108 (2013.01); E21D 9/128 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a first conduit within a borehole, wherein the first conduit has a first end oriented toward a region of geologic material;
a first projectile within the first conduit;
a first propellant material within the first conduit, wherein the first propellant material is configured to accelerate the first projectile from the first conduit and into contact with the region of the geologic material to generate debris having a first size, wherein the first size of the debris at least partially impedes movement of the debris using a fluid; and
a crushing device within a second conduit within the borehole, wherein the crushing device reduces at least a portion of the debris from the first size to a second size;
wherein the fluid is configured to move the debris having the second size through one or more of the second conduit, a third conduit within the borehole, or an annulus between a wall of the borehole and one of the first conduit, the second conduit, or the third conduit, and away from the region of geologic material.