Systems, devices, and methods for a microwave energy applicator. The applicator may define an internal channel having one or more longitudinal ridges inside the channel configured to focus energy. The ridges may be moveable. A reflector may be located near an exit of the applicator. In some embodiments, the applicator may define a channel having a decrease in cross-sectional area with a dielectric filler therein, acting to transition from a lower to a higher permittivity material. The various embodiments of the applicator may be attached to a waveguide, which may be an articulable robotic arm having rotatable waveguide segments attached with a microwave generator. The applicator may alter an energy level of microwaves travelling therethrough, for example, to concentrate the energy for application at a rock face in a mine site.

Systems, devices, and methods for a microwave energy applicator. The applicator may define an internal channel having one or more longitudinal ridges inside the channel configured to focus energy. The ridges may be moveable. A reflector may be located near an exit of the applicator. In some embodiments, the applicator may define a channel having a decrease in cross-sectional area with a dielectric filler therein, acting to transition from a lower to a higher permittivity material. The various embodiments of the applicator may be attached to a waveguide, which may be an articulable robotic arm having rotatable waveguide segments attached with a microwave generator. The applicator may alter an energy level of microwaves travelling therethrough, for example, to concentrate the energy for application at a rock face in a mine site.

A system for excavating a rock face using microwaves. The system may include a microwave generator, an articulable robotic arm with a plurality of rotatably connected rigid waveguide segments, an applicator attached to a distal end of the robotic arm, and a robotic control system. The system produces microwaves with the microwave generator and moves the robotic arm such that the applicator moves along the rock face as the microwaves exit the applicator to precondition the rock face for excavation. Various patterns of microwave treatment, and controls based on sensor feedback, may be implemented.

A system for excavating a rock face using microwaves. The system may include a microwave generator, an articulable robotic arm with a plurality of rotatably connected rigid waveguide segments, an applicator attached to a distal end of the robotic arm, and a robotic control system. The system produces microwaves with the microwave generator and moves the robotic arm such that the applicator moves along the rock face as the microwaves exit the applicator to precondition the rock face for excavation. Various patterns of microwave treatment, and controls based on sensor feedback, may be implemented.

Articulated waveguide systems, devices, and methods. Adjacent rigid waveguide segments are connected at an articulating joint. An internal antenna at the joint allows for three hundred sixty degree rotational capability at the joints. Multiple such joints may connect multiple pairs of adjacent waveguide segments to form a robotic waveguide arm. The arm can be articulated to place an energy applicator at the end of the arm in multiple positions and orientations at various speeds and directions of movement. Six degrees of freedom are provided for orienting the applicator using the robotic waveguide arm to transmit energy from a generator to an object, such as rock. The articulate waveguide may be used in a microwave-based system for mining rock having a microwave generator, the articulated robotic waveguide arm, and the applicator.

Systems and methods are disclosed for mining lunar and Martian polar permafrost to extract gas propellants. The method can comprise identifying a plurality of near-polar landing sites in craters in which the surface comprises permafrost in perpetual darkness, wherein such landing sites have perpetual sunlight available at altitudes of about 100 to 200 m. A mining outpost can be established in at least one of the sites and a high altitude solar array deployed at the landing site using a lightweight mast tall enough to generate near continuous power for the outpost. Systems and apparatus are disclosed for mining the permafrost at the landing sites using radiant gas dynamic mining procedures. The systems can comprise a rover vehicle with an integrated large area dome for cryotrapping gases released from the surface and multi-wavelength radiant heating systems to provide adjustable heating as a function of depth.

Systems and methods are disclosed for mining lunar and Martian polar permafrost to extract gas propellants. The method can comprise identifying a plurality of near-polar landing sites in craters in which the surface comprises permafrost in perpetual darkness, wherein such landing sites have perpetual sunlight available at altitudes of about 100 to 200 m. A mining outpost can be established in at least one of the sites and a high altitude solar array deployed at the landing site using a lightweight mast tall enough to generate near continuous power for the outpost. Systems and apparatus are disclosed for mining the permafrost at the landing sites using radiant gas dynamic mining procedures. The systems can comprise a rover vehicle with an integrated large area dome for cryotrapping gases released from the surface and multi-wavelength radiant heating systems to provide adjustable heating as a function of depth.

Systems to bore or tunnel through various geologies in an autonomous or substantially autonomous manner can include one or more non-contact boring elements that direct energy at the bore face to remove material from the bore face through fracture, spallation, and removal of the material. The systems can automatically execute methods to control a set of boring parameters that affect the flux of energy directed at the bore face. Systems can further automatically execute the methods to trigger an optical sensor to capture images at the bore face, generate temperature profiles, identify spall fragments and hot zones and/or adjust a set of boring controls. For example, the system can execute methods to adjust a standoff distance between the system and the bore face, and adjust power and/or gas supply to the non-contact boring element.

A mining machine applicable to fluidized mining and a mining method therefor are provided herein. A microwave transmitting mechanism, a liquid jet drill rod and a cutter-head are arranged at the head of a first excavation device of the mining machine. The ore body in front is first processed by the microwave transmitting mechanism and the liquid jet drill rod to reduce the strength of the ore body, which facilitates subsequent mining of the ore body, lowers the hardness requirements of the cutter-head, and reduces the wearing of the cutter-head. With this mining machine mining the ore body, the mined ores can be directly converted, under the ground, into resources in the easily transportable form, without transporting the ore to the surface for conversion, which saves the cost of transporting the ore to the surface.

A mining machine applicable to fluidized mining and a mining method therefor are provided herein. A microwave transmitting mechanism, a liquid jet drill rod and a cutter-head are arranged at the head of a first excavation device of the mining machine. The ore body in front is first processed by the microwave transmitting mechanism and the liquid jet drill rod to reduce the strength of the ore body, which facilitates subsequent mining of the ore body, lowers the hardness requirements of the cutter-head, and reduces the wearing of the cutter-head. With this mining machine mining the ore body, the mined ores can be directly converted, under the ground, into resources in the easily transportable form, without transporting the ore to the surface for conversion, which saves the cost of transporting the ore to the surface.