An electrocrushing drill bit, comprising a bit body, an electrode coupled to a power source and the bit body, the electrode having a distal portion for engaging with a surface of a wellbore; a ground ring coupled to the bit body proximate to the electrode and having a distal portion for engaging with the surface of the wellbore, the electrode and the ground ring positioned in relation to each other such that an electric field produced by a voltage applied between the ground ring and the electrode is enhanced at a portion of the electrode proximate to the distal portion of the electrode and at a portion of the ground ring proximate to the distal portion of the ground ring. wherein the ground ring further includes a fluid flow port; and an insulator coupled to the bit body between the electrode and the ground ring.

The invention relates to a method for processing submerged material at the bottom of a body of water, like the bottom of the sea, by application of electric energy, comprising providing electrodes in a process zone proximate the material for providing an electric current through the material for crushing the material, and displacing of fluid of the body of water away from the process zone to outside the process zone before application of the electric energy.

The invention relates to a method for processing submerged material at the bottom of a body of water, like the bottom of the sea, by application of electric energy, comprising providing electrodes in a process zone proximate the material for providing an electric current through the material for crushing the material, and displacing of fluid of the body of water away from the process zone to outside the process zone before application of the electric energy.

There are provided high power laser and laser mechanical earth removing equipment, and operations using laser cutting tools having stand off distances. These equipment provide high power laser beams, greater than kW to cut and volumetrically remove targeted materials and to remove laser affected material with gravity assistance, mechanical cutters, fluid jets, scrapers and wheels. There is also provided a method of using this equipment in mining, road resurfacing and other earth removing or working activities.

There are provided high power laser and laser mechanical earth removing equipment, and operations using laser cutting tools having stand off distances. These equipment provide high power laser beams, greater than kW to cut and volumetrically remove targeted materials and to remove laser affected material with gravity assistance, mechanical cutters, fluid jets, scrapers and wheels. There is also provided a method of using this equipment in mining, road resurfacing and other earth removing or working activities.

A method and apparatus for using Electro-Magnetic Radiation (EMR) to thermally fracture/melt and/or vaporize geologic material in narrow vein mining operations including explosive installation preparation, safety rock bolting operations, drifting, expanding raises and winzes, and stope mining. A thermal fracturing Scanhead directs a beam of predetermined diameter and power across a work surface causing stress fracturing and also to cause the rock to melt and/or vaporize to a predetermined depth. Spalled chips removed from the work surface are collected and transported for further processing.

A method and apparatus for using Electro-Magnetic Radiation (EMR) to thermally fracture/melt and/or vaporize geologic material in narrow vein mining operations including explosive installation preparation, safety rock bolting operations, drifting, expanding raises and winzes, and stope mining. A thermal fracturing Scanhead directs a beam of predetermined diameter and power across a work surface causing stress fracturing and also to cause the rock to melt and/or vaporize to a predetermined depth. Spalled chips removed from the work surface are collected and transported for further processing.

An electrocrushing drill bit comprises a bit body and at least one electrode coupled to a power source and the bit body, wherein the at least one electrode having a distal portion for engaging with a surface of a wellbore. The electrocrushing drill bit comprises a ground structure coupled to the bit body proximate to the at least one electrode and having a distal portion for engaging with the surface of the wellbore, wherein the ground structure comprises a transverse ground structure.

An electrocrushing drill bit comprises a bit body and at least one electrode coupled to a power source and the bit body, wherein the at least one electrode having a distal portion for engaging with a surface of a wellbore. The electrocrushing drill bit comprises a ground structure coupled to the bit body proximate to the at least one electrode and having a distal portion for engaging with the surface of the wellbore, wherein the ground structure comprises a transverse ground structure.

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.